ASHLAND – The Southern Oregon men's soccer team has endured its share of heartbreak since the current core started taking shape in 2019.

The Raiders watched three seasons end in penalty kicks. They lost another opportunity to a pandemic. They had no trophies to show for winning nearly 80 percent of their Cascade Conference games.

But on Sunday at Raider Stadium, after years of waiting on the fringes, they got to celebrate. Their 3-0 decision over Evergreen (Wash.) was a jubilant victory lap that made them CCC regular season champions for the first time since 2018, clinching an automatic berth in the NAIA National Tournament.

Adrian Villegas, one of the team's five fifth-year seniors, scored two goals, the first just 64 seconds into the afternoon as the No. 25-ranked Raiders improved to 14-2 overall and 10-1 in the CCC. Their total of 30 points on the conference table – with games still to play Monday against Northwest (Wash.) and Thursday against Bushnell – is one better than those of College of Idaho and Warner Pacific, whose regular seasons both ended Saturday.

"We are so proud of this group of players who have been so close to winning titles before," SOU coach Davie Carmichael said. "With two games to spare in a tough conference like the CCC is an incredible achievement. This is hands-down the most talented and balanced team I've ever coached: We have a wee bit of everything and can play in a variety of ways, and that has shown throughout the season."

The title is Carmichael's second at SOU and the program's third overall in the regular season. The Raiders were last part of the national postseason in 2018; they'll be in it again when the 40-team field is announced Nov. 13.

The Geoducks went to 6-6-4 overall and 5-3-4 in the CCC, dropping to sixth place.

Villegas put them in an early hole with his 30th career goal in the second minute. Players on both sides whiffed his free kick from 38 yards deep, which took a big bounce in the box and found its way into the net.

Villegas made it 2-0 with his 11th goal of the season 15 seconds before halftime, lacing a centered 22-yard free kick inside the left post. He was inches away from doing twice the damage, with one attempt that hit the crossbar and another that hit the right post.

Alex Hjulmand added on his fourth goal in the 90th minute by sticking a shot in the box set up by Flynn De Luca's pass.

Casey Ruvolo kept the sheet clean by making five saves. He and the Raiders have shut out six of their last seven opponents and conceded three total goals during CCC play.

Monday's match against Northwest starts at noon, and Thursday's against Bushnell at 3 p.m. before the Raiders travel to the CCC Tournament as the No. 1 seed Nov. 6-10 in Springfield. With seeding for the NAIA National Tournament in mind, they still have plenty to play for.

"The job isn't done yet," Carmichael said. "We will reset and go again tomorrow."